JAMMU: The Fire and Emergency Services Department has refuted allegations of a 90-minute delay in reaching the site of the massive fire at Warehouse Nehru Market, maintaining that its records and CCTV footage establish that firefighting teams responded promptly to the emergency.
In a statement issued on Monday night, the department said it received an emergency call regarding the blaze at 9:18 pm on Sunday, following which three fire tenders reached the spot within 10 minutes. CCTV footage recorded at Asian Hotel Crossing also showed additional fire tenders moving towards the affected market at 9:38 pm, it added.
The department maintained that the available records clearly documented the movement and deployment of firefighting vehicles and did not support allegations of a one-and-a-half-hour delay.
According to the statement, a total of 18 fire tenders from different fire stations and strategically deployed locations were mobilised to tackle the blaze, which engulfed premises containing grocery and ration items, including cooking oil and ghee.
The fire was brought under control in approximately one-and-a-half hours, followed by cooling operations to prevent further spread or recurrence. While seven shops sustained fire damage, several adjoining establishments were saved through timely intervention, the department claimed.
The firefighting operation was conducted with the assistance of police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the district administration.
Meanwhile, the Warehouse Nehru Market Federation on Monday announced the closure of Jammu’s largest wholesale grain market until Wednesday, demanding strict action against Fire and Emergency Services officials over alleged negligence in responding to the incident.
Federation president Deepak Gupta alleged that the fire services had responded sluggishly and that fire tenders reached the market nearly 90 minutes after the blaze broke out. The fire had caused extensive damage to shops, with 10 establishments initially reported to have been gutted.
The department, however, said it had faced an exceptionally high number of fire emergencies across Jammu province during the preceding 24 hours, with more than 60 incidents reported, including 35 in Jammu district alone.
It further stated that 16 fire incidents were reported in Jammu district within approximately five hours from 7 pm on November 8, requiring simultaneous deployment of firefighting teams, equipment and manpower at multiple locations.
Highlighting the additional challenges during the Diwali festive period, the department said it had made advance arrangements by positioning fire tenders at strategic locations, including Gole Market, Gandhi Nagar and Gangyal, to ensure a swift response to emergencies. Regular fire stations also remained operational and attended to reported incidents.
The department maintained that its personnel and resources were deployed extensively to manage the multiple emergencies and contain the Nehru Market blaze.
